January 15

Good morning, Church Family!

God is so good and so worthy of our praise. His Word is Truth. I woke up singing, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Aren't you so thankful that our Heavenly Father cares enough about us that He gave us His Word to light our path?

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and ALL the things you may desire CANNOT compare with her." Proverbs 3:13-15 - just a few of the many, many verses and lessons on wisdom.

Why is the man happy who finds wisdom and understanding and why is it that ALL the things I desire CANNOT compare with her? When I think of wisdom and understanding, I think of smarts and intelligence or good sense and good judgement. But I don't think that's why in and of itself God says happy is the man who finds wisdom. First of all, there's no shortage of brains in the world. And using more brain power, more earthly knowledge, certainly doesn't equate more happiness. So why is it that finding wisdom and understanding is so important to God and so much more important than anything else we might want?

I think the answer lies in Psalm 111:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding." When you find wisdom, you are met with the fear of the Lord. Those who know God's Word and follow His commandments have good understanding. Wisdom and understanding are wrapped up in God and Who He is and what He has to say and do. As you seek for more of God, you grow in a healthy fear of the Lord. You grow in wisdom and understanding. You grow in your knowledge of our heavenly Father God and His Truth, His Way, His Life. Growing in wisdom may not mean you discover the cure to cancer over night, but it certainly does mean you find the One who can cure cancer and who can point you in the right direction.

God says to seek Him and He will be found by us. And in Isaiah 11, the prophet declared that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Jesus - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. That same Spirit that rests upon Jesus, He sent to rest upon us, Children of God. I don't know about you, but I want to find God more than ever and I certainly want His Spirit to rest upon me. I want to grow in His wisdom and stature just as Jesus did as a child growing into a young man.

The reward for finding wisdom and understanding is so high because in finding them, we find God Himself. And we can start in prayer and in the reading of His Word. Even now our church is in the middle of 21 days of prayer and fasting. I encourage you to join us as we seek His face, His direction, His wisdom for our own lives and for our church. May the Spirit of the Lord rest upon you this day!

Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Hillcrest Children's Minister